Chameleon FSR – Faraday Strip Radial System

The Chameleon Antenna CHA FSR (Faraday Strip Radial System) is a durable, portable ground-plane and counterpoise solution engineered to improve the efficiency of HF vertical antennas in real-world field conditions. Designed for serious operators running POTA/SOTA, portable DX, and emergency communications, the CHA FSR replaces fragile thin wire radials with wide, high-surface-area Faraday strips that are faster to deploy, easier to see, and tougher to abuse.

Why it matters

• Reported performance gain: Chameleon’s initial field testing (Northern Alabama) showed a 23–28% median increase in relative field strength compared to standard four-wire radial kits (often ~3.8 m [12.5 ft] radials).
• Lower loss return path: Broad conductive surface helps reduce ground losses and stabilize current distribution for more consistent omni performance.
• Safer in the field: Wide TAN outer layers are far more visible than thin wire radials—reducing trip hazards around people, pets, and gear.

MPAS READY compatibility

The CHA FSR is MPAS READY and built to integrate with Chameleon vertical systems including SS17, SS25, MPAS, MCC and other 3/8-24 based setups.

Rugged composite construction

Each strip uses a multi-layer design with a conductive Faraday fabric core (Copper–Nickel–Polyester fibers in a diamond weave) encapsulated in 900D Oxford cloth for abrasion resistance, moisture/UV protection, and long service life. Technical fabric data (manufacturer-provided): 0.078 mm fabric thickness and <0.05 Ω surface resistance. Each strip includes three brass grommets (ends + center) for secure mounting and electrical continuity.

Fast, simple deployment

1. Attach the Faraday strips to your mount using the included hardware.
2. Lay the strips in an “X” pattern for an omni-directional radiation pattern.
3. Stake the ends and operate.

What’s included

• Two 6.1 m [20 ft] Faraday Radial Strips
• Four tent stakes
• CHA FSR-A stainless steel 3/8-24 coupling adapter (male bottom / female top) for “sandwich” mounting between a 3/8-24 mount and antenna base
• Attachment hardware
• Two bungee balls

Portable specs

• Packaged weight: 2.27 kg [5 lb]
• Packed size: two bundles about 15.2 × 10.2 cm [6 × 4 in] each; listed packed dimensions also noted as 40.6 × 30.5 × 10.2 cm [16 × 12 × 4 in]

Bottom line: If you want a more efficient, more durable, and more field-friendly radial system for your portable vertical, the CHA FSR is a high-value upgrade that deploys quickly and holds up under real operating conditions.